Tap bracket or the like

Abstract

The invention contemplates a unitary cable-clamp fitting adapted for equipment or other connection to an overhead-suspension cable or messenger wire. The fitting comprises two side panels integrally connected by a single bend establishing an initially acute angle between the side panels. In a preferred form, the outer edge of each panel is characterized by an elongate flange bent inward and generally toward the opposite side panel, and the initial space between flanges is slightly less than the cable diameter to be accommodated, so that cable assembly and loose retention are achieved via snap-action insertion between the flanges. A nut and bolt, loosely engaged via aligned openings in the panels, is tightened to set the clamp to the cable. Bracket hardware having a mounting opening may be clamped with the same nut and bolt, and the bolt itself may be formed for simple accessory or guy-wire connection.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. As an article of manufacture, a tap bracket or the like, comprising a cable clamp member for secure attachment to a selected location along a longitudinal stretch of messenger wire or the like of given diameter, and a single-piece bent stiff metal-strip bracket member loosely assembled by an engaged nut and bolt; said clamp member comprising two side panels of stiff metal strip integrally connected by a single upper-edge longitudinal bend and divergent downwardly at an acute angle to their lower longitudinal edges, at least one of said side panels having at its lower longitudinal edge a reversely and inwardly and upwardly bent flange of upward extent less than the upward extent of said one side panel and oriented at an acute angle to its associated side panel, the inner limiting edge of said flange being spaced from the nearest region of the other panel to an offset extent slightly less than said given diameter, whereby said clamp may be applied to the cable with snap action via the space at said offset, and said panels each having a bolt aperture at a bolt-shank alignment sufficiently offset from said flange to accommodate the cable between said flange and said bolt alignment, the upwardly bent edge of said flange being at sufficient offset beneath said bolt shank to accommodate said given diameter; said bracket member comprising an arm of stiff sheet metal having an integral upstanding flat leg at one end and a reversely bent hook formation at the end of said leg, the flat of said upstanding leg confronting the outer surface of one of said panels and the hook formation having curved and fitted conformance to the convex curvature outside the bend between said panels, and said upstanding leg having a bolt aperture in register with the bolt aperture of said one side panel, the shank of said bolt passing through all of said apertures, whereby upon setting the nut and bolt to clamp to the cable, the tap-bracket arm is fixed to the clamp and keyed against rotation by reason of the fit of said hook formation to said bend. 
     
     
       2. The article of claim 1, in which said bracket member is one of two, each having a bolt aperture in register with the bolt aperture of a different one of said panels, and in which the bolt shank passes through all four apertures. 
     
     
       3. The article of claim 2, in which upon setting the nut and bolt and thus clamping to the cable, the bracket members establish clamped arms extending in opposite directions and substantially normal to the respective adjacent panels. 
     
     
       4. The fitting of claim 2, in which the hook formations of said tap-bracket arms are at transversely offset fractions of said arms such that the hook formations of both arms fit longitudinally spaced regions of said bend. 
     
     
       5. The article of claim 1, in which upon setting the nut and bolt and thus clamping to the cable, the bracket member establishes a clamped arm extending substantially normal to the plane of the adjacent panel. 
     
     
       6. The article of claim 1, in which said apertures are of square contour and said bolt has a key formation non-rotationally engaged at one of said apertures.